MCS Attendance Procedures Changing

MCS Attendance Procedures Changing

Posted on 04/17/2018

Two weeks ago, a substitute bus driver failed to do a mandatory check of his bus before leaving. As a result, a MECC student who had been asleep in the bus was left unattended. This was an error and a mistake. We immediately apologized to the family, informed Child Protective Services and the Mason Police Department, and offered counseling to the student.

We deeply regret that this mistake occurred, and we’re taking additional steps to help ensure it does not happen again.

First, the bus driver was terminated from district employment. Our primary responsibility is the safety of all our students and this person fell short, which is why we held him accountable.

Second, we are implementing an improved procedure to notify parents when a student is not in school.

Beginning Monday, April 23 we will call all families whose children are absent -- whether excused or unexcused -- within two hours of the start of the school day. Before the end of the school day, we will place a second call to all families who have not provided a reason for their child’s absence

If your family receives a call that your child is not at school and you do not believe your child should be absent, we ask that you call the school attendance secretary right away.

If your family receives a call that your child is not at school and you know that your child has an excused absence, consider checking Home Access Centerand click on Attendance to make sure that the school has counted the absence as excused. Home Access Center will be updated with excused or unexcused absences after the attendance office has the opportunity to reconcile the calls, notes, tardies, etc. which typically takes several hours.

We will continue to evaluate additional ways we can prevent an incident like this from happening in the future.